< PreviousEMPLOYMENT LAW20Business Link www.blmforum.netFeeling overloaded at work can beincredibly stressful. An increasedworkload and a demand placed onemployees these days can have anegative impact. This is not only on thehealth and wellbeing of your workforce,but on performance and efficiency too. A recent survey by Randstadsuggested a majority of UK employeesare working ‘so hard they cannot workharder’ with more than half of workersasked saying they are doing more thanone person’s job. Somewhat moreconcerning is around a fifth ofrespondents saying they are handlingthe equivalent workload of two people.Sometimes this can be a good thing,the significant pressure can allow somewith the right mental attitude to thriveand become more rounded workers,but what happens when this goesawry?What amounts to a reasonableworkload will of course differ fromperson to person but when it becomesa real problem, employees may well askfor a meeting to air grievances and toavoid spiky legal issues with the word‘unreasonable’ being bandied about, it’sbest to listen.Trying to respond to complaints in acalm and measured way is advisable.Are there certain duties you can splitbetween other workers or have youconducted a review of duties recently?Many workers will ask reasonably atfirst, but may well approach the issue ina formal manner with grievanceslodged or even GP’s notes. When itgets to the point that they feelphysically ill with the amount of work orstress piled upon them, this is wherethe issue may become thorny.Could, for example, duties belessened or spread out over a widertimeframe? Is your employee doingsomething they are trained for? If not,looking into appropriate ways to maketheir task easier could be a way ofalleviating stress. If, for example, a jobhas been thrust upon themunexpectedly, making yourexpectations clear could be the onlything that is creating stress in the firstplace. Contracts should make it clear what isexpected of employees. It soundssimple, but piling on additional dutiescould come back to bite you ifemployees simply present you withtheir original contract. If it is out of datethen the onus is on you to negotiatewhat constitutes key duties and what isexpected. An annual review of jobdescriptions is something that manyrecommend and this makes sense. Withthe changing nature of business, certainduties will migrate among staff, whetherit’s due to projects drawing to a closeor staff leaving over time.Piling on the work onto those whoare too polite to say anything tochallenge this can prove troublesome.The amount of cases of employeesresigning then taking their employers tocourt for constructive dismissal shouldbe noted for those currently skirtinground the issues.But what are the alternatives whenwork is increasing but revenues andWorking nine to…forever?Sometimes as an employer, you will need to ask staff to work late. Now and again is not toomuch to ask, but if it’s a regular occurrence, there are issues you may have to address.20-21:Layout 1 19/12/13 13:00 Page 1Business Link 21www.blmforum.netstaffing levels remainunchanged? One solution is tooffer flexible working. Morecommonplace now than ever, itis increasingly used by thosewho have particularly busyperiods of the working week. Forexample, if a deadline falls at aparticularly early part of theweek and activity tails offtowards the end then workerscould put in more hours at thebusier time, while working untilearlier finish times at the other. The main thing to take away is review, consult and review again.Knowing your office’s overall mood and energy levels is key toreading whether work levels are in appropriate. A sensible, rather thanVictorian work ethic is required these days - what does yourworkplace resemble?PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/AUREMARPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/SHEFFContracts should make itclear what is expected ofemployees. It soundssimple, but piling onadditional duties couldcome back to bite you ifemployees simplypresent you with theiroriginal contract20-21:Layout 1 19/12/13 13:00 Page 2BUSINESS SCENE22Business Link www.blmforum.netAnnette Wood presents Struan Wiley withhis Honorary Life Fellowship, markingfifty years as a Member of the IoDDavid Ball of NeamleaNursery with James Sewell ofWright Vigar AccountantsDave Fisher of NatWest withSimon Hodgkin of Streets & CoHigh flyers at LincolnshireAnnual LunchMartin Applewhite ofApplewhite Gifts with PhilipArmitage of Andrew & CoIan Kirkby of Aspire withDean Lacey of SerjeantsJas Hawker, a former team leader with the Red Arrows was thekeynote speaker at the sixth Institute of Directors Lincolnshire branchannual lunch at the Bentley Hotel, Lincoln. This popular seasonalbusiness event, sponsored by Lincolnshire building and civilengineering contractors John Martin-Hoyes Ltd, attracted 120 of thearea’s leading business people and their guests.Jas Hawker is now Operations Director of Mission Excellence, aperformance consultancy company which works with some of themost successful global organisations. He spoke about highperformance teams through operational excellence. He helped todevelop and lead his team in the Red Arrows after joining in 1999,amassing 500 displays in the UK, USA, the Middle East and parts ofAsia. Since the Team’s creation in 1965, the Red Arrows have flownover four thousand displays in 52 countries.Annette Wood, Chairman of the IoD in Lincolnshire, says, “We areall very proud to be associated in Lincolnshire with the Red Arrowswho are renowned throughout the world, acting as ambassadors forGreat Britain when displaying overseas. They also support UK industryby demonstrating the capabilities of British equipment and expertise.”Struan Wiley was another “high flyer” attending the event. He waspresented with his Honorary Life Fellowship, marking fifty years as aMember of the IoD. Struan, a Freeman of the City of Lincoln, wholives near Louth, joined the IoD on the recommendation of his fatherwho had been a Member. He studied poultry science in the USA, wasin the Royal Hussars and went on to have a career with ImperialFoods and Allied Lyons. Struan has held a number of directorships,including with Blackpool Pleasure Beach. He considered hisassociation with the IoD was a great help as he moved into being adirector and non-executive director.The raffle at the event benefitted the Linkage Community Trust.Tom Godson, Tara Beston and Laura Capindale ofDuncan & Toplis with Lindsay Rubie of HSBC22-23:Layout 1 19/12/13 13:01 Page 1Business Link 23www.blmforum.netBUSINESS SCENEPHOTOS BY RICHARD PICKSLEYCatriona Wheeler, Julia Lock, Helen Barton and Orla Loweof Andrew & Co SolicitorsBen Sharrock and Richard Cobb of Reflect Recruitmentwith Victoria Keiller of CFR NewarkThe Yorkshire Bank partySam O’May and Jill Elkington of HE Lettingswith James Pinchbeck of Streets & CoRon Lynch, IoD Regional Director, Annette Wood, Jas Hawker andCameron Ford, IoD Vice ChairmanNick Howe, Paul Gardiner and EricaManderfieldSueCharlesworth,MoniqueSylvester andJanet Wotton22-23:Layout 1 19/12/13 13:01 Page 2PRINTING & PACKAGING24Business Link www.blmforum.netCertainly innovations in production inrecent years have created hundreds ofnew ideas that are being incorporatedinto packaging – yet that’s not to saythat companies can simply over-indulgein incorporating every new trick in thebook as consumers and retailers alikeare now on their guard for packagingthat appears to be excessive. Withsecurity concerns taking on everincreased importance, it’s a constantjuggling act for packaging specialists.Many companies now specialise inpack rationalisation which can take acloser look at a company’s portfolio andoffer suggestions on how companiescan reduce and consolidate their range,allowing for product savings because ofincreased production runs, reducedinventory and simplification of thepackaging process. This is particularlytimely now consumers are turning awayfrom packaging that seems to beexcessive, not just due to concernsover environmental aspects but alsobecause they can often get frustratedwith fiddly and over-elaboratepackaging.That was emphasised at the recentPackaging Innovations show inBirmingham where “openability” cameunder the spotlight at one of theseminars at the event. Martin Dallas,Managing Director at Payne PackagingSolutions, illustrated why companiesshould put consumer expectations atthe absolute forefront of theirdevelopment.He said, “85% of consumersexperience some form of frustrationwith packaging. It is clear from theresearch that functionality plays a majora part in consumers’ perceptions ofgood packaging. When packagingworks, it makes people feel good aboutthe product. Equally, a poor pack canhave a deeply negative effect on theirperception of the brand. People arewilling to pay more for easy openingpackaging, and packaging is theprimary communicator.”Containing costs, withoutcompromising on product quality, iscritical for brands to establish andmaintain market share and commercialvisibility in a highly competitive sector.As Andy Barnetson, Director ofPackaging Affairs at the Confederationof Paper Industries points out, “Strikingthis balance successfully can only beachieved on the basis of developinghealthy working partnershipsthroughout the supply chain.”Our region is certainly leading theway when it comes to quality packagingand the latest developments emphasiseboth convenience and class, whichhave allowed companies to enjoysuccess on an international scale.William Beckett Plastics of Sheffield, forPackaging has evolved froman effective way to transportgoods as safely and securelyas possible to a high-tech,on-shelf advertising toolThe totalpackage24-26:Layout 1 19/12/13 13:26 Page 1Business Link 25www.blmforum.netPRINTING & PACKAGINGexample, has twice achieved the Queen’sAward for Enterprise in International Tradethanks to their specialised plastic packagingincluding huge success abroad – indeed, 80%of their products are exported to fortycountries around the world.The industry moves fast, though, and thecompany has just received a £65,000 BusinessLoan from Finance Yorkshire for acomprehensive refurbishment programme ofthree machines that mould its range ofpackaging. Managing Director William Beckettsays, “Our blow moulding machines are verysophisticated but they are no longermanufactured. The gap funding from FinanceYorkshire makes bringing the machines up todate possible. We will effectively have threenew machines which will be 25% moreefficient than they currently are.”William Beckett’s products are designed andmanufactured to protect all types of cuttingtool – from simple drill bits and blades tohighly sophisticated milling cutters. Thecompany is set to seek new export markets inEastern Europe and South East Asia as it rollsout the improvements to its blow mouldingmachines over the next eighteen months, inaddition to its current major market in NorthAmerica.Another local company that intends toexpand further afield is Green Peas Solutions,which designs and distributes sustainable,environmentally-friendly packaging materialsfrom their facility in Wakefield, for clientsincluding major manufacturers such asSamsung, Sony and HP whose products andcomponents all require specialist packaging toenable safe transportation. Their most familiarsolution is the Air Pod, which fits snuglyaround products to absorb impact from drops,bumps and shocks while significantly reducingthe total supply chain’s carbon footprint andrunning costs – of obvious importance in thecurrent climate.Green Peas Solutions have also received aBusiness Loan from Finance Yorkshire toinvest in research and development andexpand its innovative packaging solutions.Marketing Director Evelin Kallas says, “We areconstantly developing new packagingproducts to drive cost savings in supply26 Above: WilliamBeckett Plastics ofSheffield hasreceived a £65,000Business Loanfrom FinanceYorkshire for acomprehensiverefurbishmentprogrammeLeft:The UK’s onlydedicatedbeverage cartonrecycling facility isnow open inStainland24-26:Layout 1 19/12/13 13:26 Page 2PRINTING & PACKAGING26Business Link www.blmforum.netchains and this funding is vital to ourresearch and development so that wecan come up with even more innovativesolutions for existing and new clients.Our Air Pod solutions are becomingbetter known but we want to expandour marketing activity to increase ourbusiness in overseas market.”Effective packaging is a two-wayprocess however and consumers arenow increasingly aware of theirresponsibilities. The news that, by 2015,it’s highly likely England will havefollowed the example of Wales andcompelled retailers to charge for plasticbags illustrates that this is now amainstream proposition – consumersare aware of the potential for excessivepackaging waste and will often choosepackaging based on its durability andfriendliness to the environment.In our region we’re fortunate to behome to one of the UK’s leadingrecycling facilities, with the UK’s onlydedicated beverage carton recyclingfacility now open in Stainland. Capableof recycling up to 40% of the cartonsmanufactured each year for the UK, thenew plant is expected to significantlyboost recycling rates. The plant is ajoint initiative between the Alliance forBeverage Cartons & the EnvironmentUK – representing the leading beveragecarton manufacturers Tetra Pak, Elopakand SIG Combibloc – and paper andpackaging producer Sonoco Alcore.Sonoco Alcore will take advantage ofthe strength and quality of the virginwood fibres found in cartons by turningthem into industrial-strength coreboardat its paper mill located on the samesite. This is then made into 100%recyclable tubes and cores, which areused to wrap paper, man-made fibreyarns, and metal and plastic film aroundfor industrial applications.This adds to the numerous highquality recycling facilities that alreadyexist in the region, such as HemswellEco Plastics, who have contracts withmany leading manufacturers such asCoca-Cola Enterprises. The soft drinksgiant is also taking part in a series ofworkshops for local authoritiesdesigned to help boost publicengagement in packaging recycling,one of which was recently held in WestYorkshire.Nick Brown, Associate Director ofRecycling at Coca-Cola Enterprises,says, “Local authorities have done agreat job in recent years to put in placeservices to collect recyclable materialsfrom households, resulting in a hugeincrease in recycling rates. To make themost of these services, we want towork closer across the sector oncommunications to help householdersuse their local service and understandwhat happens to the materials.“We know from our consumers thatsome have uncertainty about recycling,not helped by a lack of visible nationalcampaign activity. To further acceleraterecycling in this country, we all need toinspire householders to recycle more.Coca-Cola Enterprises are delighted tobe a part of these workshops to hearfrom local authority practitioners howwe can help and to swap ideas.”In our part of the world, theprominent recycling facilities and thehigh quality solutions from packagingmanufacturers should ensure thatconsumers are well aware of theirresponsibilities when it comes tochoosing products based on the qualityof their packaging – and what valuethey have when they’ve finished withthem.Green Peas Solutions designs and distributessustainable, environmentally-friendly packagingmaterials from their facility in Wakefield and hasbeen supported by Finance Yorkshire24-26:Layout 1 19/12/13 13:26 Page 3Business Link 27www.blmforum.netCORPORATE FINANCEFortunately a growing number ofgrant and loan schemes are allowingcompanies to expand and invest, andbenefiting from a short term cashinjection to enjoy long term success.The importance of providing thecapital to fund innovative new projectscan't be overestimated and indeed wasa major part of Stephen Williams'inaugural speech as President ofSheffield Chamber of Commerce. At thereception at the city's MillenniumGalleries, he said, "There are certainfunds available and we know of peoplelooking to make inward investment into28 The importance of providing thecapital to fund innovative newprojects was a major part ofStephen Williams' inauguralspeech as President of SheffieldChamber of Commerce at thecity's Millennium GalleriesThe funding factorWe all know that Yorkshire and Lincolnshire specialises in fantasticallyinnovative businesses bursting with ideas – but this creativity comes tonothing if there isn't the funding to turn those ideas into reality.the city, so the Chamber is working hardto harness that opportunity. We mustfind people wanting to develop bigprojects which require funding so wecan put the two together and bringabout a proper economic regeneration.“We have some good businesses, allworking hard and many very resilient.But we need to see more business-ledtransformational projects which setambitious targets and will put this cityregion amongst the best in the world."One way in which Sheffield aims todo this is early in 2014 is via an influx ofCity Fund managers next year toshowcase the opportunities and benefitsof doing business in Sheffield. Chambervice president Jillian Thomas says,“We’ve described the tour as TheMoney Bus as it offers an opportunityfor businesses to potentially access thebillions of pounds available frominfrastructure funds looking to invest inkey projects. “With the Bank of England’s base ratecontinuing to be low and bank lendingstill problematic, major investors are27-29:Layout 1 19/12/13 15:21 Page 1CORPORATE FINANCE28Business Link www.blmforum.netlooking for significant projects tofinance. Wealth creation is vitallyimportant for the city region. It createsemployment opportunities, job growthand a better future for our children.Sheffield City Region is leading the wayin many areas and we must takeadvantage of that to secure the inwardinvestment which is available.”As Jillian points out, manybusinesses are still finding bank lendingdifficult, despite recent attempts toencourage the bands to lend further.However, the Bank of England hasannounced that lending by banks andbuilding societies participating in itsFunding for Lending scheme was threetimes higher in the third quarter of2013. The Scheme allows banks accessto cheap funding on the proviso thatthis is then passed on to businessesand in the three months to September,the banks acquired £5.8 billion underthe scheme.over the next year or so.Some local companies have enjoyedsuccess in accessing funding from thebanks. Yorkshire Feedstuffs, the Goolemanufacturer and wholesaler of animalfeeds, is set to expand production outputand continue its growth strategy afterreceiving a bespoke £3.2 million financepackage, including trade finance, fromSantander Corporate & Commercial. Thishas allowed the company to continue toinvest in new technology and equipment.Last year, for example, it added a woodburning boiler which has significantlyreduced power costs. Through this moreenvironmentally friendly approach, it alsoenabled the business to claim RenewableHeat Incentive Payments.There are success stories, but it'sperhaps no surprise that manycompanies are looking to other sourcesof funding. The Department of Business,Innovation and Skills offer a number offinancing options to small businessesThe Scheme has changed recently andnow 100% of the funding will go tobusinesses rather than individuals alsobeing able to access the cash – as theBank of England has decided thatmortgage lending has now matured tothe extent that no special supportprogrammes are required. This shouldtherefore increase the amount of moneyavailable to SMEs.Unsurprisingly there's some cynicismregarding the recent announcement ofextensive lending, however, after severalfalse starts in the government's attemptto encourage further lending. MatthewFell, the CBI's director for competitivemarkets, says, "Despite overall FLSlending substantially increasing, Bank ofEngland data shows that net lending toSMEs continues to fall, so the recentmove recalibrating the scheme towardsbusiness lending is welcome." We'll haveto wait and see if local businesses findthe banks more willing to offer fundingPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/CRISTOVAO27-29:Layout 1 19/12/13 15:22 Page 2Business Link 29www.blmforum.netCORPORATE FINANCEPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/AUREMARacross the UK, the Regional GrowthFund, given largely in the form of grants,and Enterprise Finance Guarantee, aGovernment loan guarantee scheme. Allof the main banks plus a number of otherlending institutions offer EFG loans,which are provided with the support of aGovernment guarantee. It is principallyused to support loans of between £1000and £1 million, and repayment termsbetween three months and ten years.On a more local level, FinanceYorkshire have certainly helped make adifference to a number of localcompanies and Chief Executive AlexMcWhirter is campaigning to ensuremore companies are aware of what theycan offer in terms of gap funding.Alex says, "We complement thefunding available from the banks and wecan invest in SMEs – it’s as simple asthat. We know that it is not alwayspossible for SMEs to secure finance fromtraditional funding sources to achievetheir ambitions and that’s where FinanceYorkshire can step in and fund this gap." The organisation report that so far theyhave made over 470 investments in morethan three hundred SMEs in Yorkshireand the Humber, totalling around £56million and creating or safeguarding oversix thousand jobs.As well as providing venture capitaland R&D funding, a number of schemesalso exist to provide finance to makeenvironmental improvements – ofparticular relevance of companies thatlook to deal with the problem of rocketingenergy bills. In Lincolnshire, the SUSTAINLincolnshire scheme aims to helpcompanies become more competitiveand resource-efficient. Professor Val Braybrooks, Dean of theNational Centre for Food Manufacturingat the University of Lincoln, is involvedwith the scheme and says, "SUSTAIN hasprovided many small businesses theopportunity to work with the university toexcel through waste reduction. As aresult, we have seen some outstandingexamples of how innovation, technologytake-up and collaboration can transformbusinesses and provide a platform forsustainable business practice and growth.“Several businesses advanced theirinnovation agenda with the support of theproject and successful grant applicationsto the Technology Strategy Board. It’sgreat to see small companies gain theconfidence to apply for funding, and weare delighted that we now have theopportunity to help more businesses, inaddition to further enhance Lincolnshire’scredentials as a pioneer of collaborativeworking in support waste reduction.”All companies have different needs andthere's no one-size-fits-all approach toprovide the kind of funding they require.However there are numerous optionswhich mean that something should beavailable to meet their specific needs andhelp them grow still further.Grant and loan schemesare available to helpcompanies receiveventure capital, makeimprovements to theirfacilities or hire newapprentices. CourtesyLeeds College of Building27-29:Layout 1 19/12/13 15:22 Page 3Next >